Michelle Obama Will Have A California School Named After Her

A Northern California school will soon be called Michelle Obama Elementary School.

In a unanimous vote, the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board recently decided to change the name of Wilson Elementary School to honor the former First Lady.

"We wanted to choose someone on a global level," Wilson PTA President Maisha Cole said, per CNN. "With a new school and new learning environment, we want our children to think beyond Richmond, to think beyond California, and remind them that they can make a difference locally and globally."

The new name will go into effect for the 2020-2021 school year, the school said.

The idea to change the school's name was first proposed after the PTA sent a letter to the school board, sparking two ad hoc meetings where the school's name change received unanimous support from parents, students and community leaders.

"We have the opportunity to have a beautiful new school named after a person who really represents our diversity and values," Principal Claudia Velez said, per CNN. "Our school is diverse, modern and innovative, and the things that the kids will be doing will prepare them for a very strong and successful future in whatever career they choose."

The elementary school was formerly named after Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, whose legacy in recent years has come under increased scrutiny over his administration’s race relations and segregationist policies.

This is the second school in California to be named after the former First Lady.